Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' revamped defense, the Tribe's new-look infield and a young Cavalier stepping into the spotlight

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerAs the Browns consider Ahtyba Rubin as their only certain starter on the defensive line in 2011, it made it easier for the front office to begin the housecleaning of the line during the past week, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The football season is over and no one knows whether there will be a 2011 campaign, but that doesn't mean that Terry isn't talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. It appears the Browns were determined not only to switch to the West Coast offense, but team president Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert also wanted to bring in a 4-3 defense. Heckert's nine seasons with Andy Reid in Philadelphia were spent finding players for the 4-3, as opposed to the 3-4 played by former coaches Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini.

2. The Browns were very concerned about the condition and age of the defensive line. No matter what defense was played, the need for more and younger linemen is critical. That made it easy to change defenses. At the moment, the only certain starter on the line is Ahtyba Rubin, who will play one of the tackle spots. The front office and new coaches love his tenacity as much as Mangini did. They do think Brian Schaefering and Jayme Mitchell can help on the line.

3. When the Browns cut nose tackle Shaun Rogers, they saw a soon-to-be 32-year-old who was breaking down physically and under contract for $5.5 million (not guaranteed) in 2011. The high price made him untradeable. He played only 39 percent of the snaps last season. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron had Rogers in Detroit, and those were not great times for "Big Baby." While Rogers did have some productive games, the Browns considered him too expensive and too injury prone.

4. Also cut were linebackers David Bowens (33) and Eric Barton (33). Age, price, physical condition and the fact that they aren't the ideal 4-3 linebackers led to them being cut. The Browns believe Chris Gocong can play middle linebacker -- he did so for Heckert in Philadelphia. They like Scott Fujita as a strongside linebacker, which he played in New Orleans. Marcus Benard may stick around as a pass rusher, either at linebacker or defensive end.

5. The Browns will need plenty of linemen and linebackers. Matt Roth was effective as a run-stopping outside linebacker in the 3-4. He'd have to play defensive end in the 4-3. Roth is now a free agent, and the Browns will have to decide if it makes sense to sign Roth and change his position -- or go find a true defensive end.

6. The Browns want the two defensive ends to be pass rushers. That's why they cut Kenyon Coleman (31). He is good against the run in the 3-4, but he projects as a defensive end in the 4-3 -- and the Browns don't like him as a pass rusher.

7. The Browns believe the offensive line needs one more veteran to play right tackle (replacing John St. Clair). They are pleased with Joe Thomas (LT), Eric Steinbach (LG) and Alex Mack (C). They think Shawn Lauvao is ready to take over at right guard. They do have Tony Pashos for right tackle and like him, but the but the 30-year-old Pashos has played only 11 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. Look for them to draft a young lineman, and sign a veteran.

8. While Steinbach will be 30 and is under a hefty contract at $6 million, the Browns (at least as of now) believe he is worth keeping. They also think there is real value in having Thomas, Steinbach and Mack all play together for a third consecutive season on the left side.

9. In case you were wondering, St. Clair led the Browns with eight penalties. Then came Rogers (7), Roth (6) and Mohammed Massaquoi (5).

10. Despite all the talk about the West Coast offense, the real story of the switch to the 4-3 is it's the defense that will have more new faces. The only certain starters are Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Fujita, Gocong and Rubin. Starting safety Abe Elam is a free agent, and he is viewed ideally as a backup by most teams. Heckert's experience has been finding players for a 4-3, and believes it's a little easier to do so than for the 3-4.

About the coaching staff...

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerNew Browns head coach Pat Shurmur (center) was hired by Mike Holmgren (left) and Tom Heckert with the understanding that Shurmur would be calling the offensive plays in 2011.

1. Part of the reason Pat Shurmur was hired is they wanted him to call the plays on offense. Holmgren did it in Green Bay and Seattle. Heckert worked for Andy Reid, who called the plays in Philadelphia. The Browns point out that in the last two Super Bowls, the winning head coaches called their own plays -- Sean Peyton with New Orleans and Mike McCarthy of Green Bay. They believe Shurmur as a play caller will make the Browns better. This is the approach of this front office to offense.

2. No matter who has the title, the guy calling the plays is the offensive coordinator. Rather than pretend otherwise, the Browns decided just make Mark Whipple the quarterback coach. He will work closely with Colt McCoy, and he will help formulate game plans with Shurmur.

3. Not much has been said about new receivers coach Mike Wilson, but the Browns believe he is a key hire. Wilson was a receiver for 10 years with the San Francisco 49ers. He had been a receivers coach at USC, Oakland and the Arizona Cardinals. His last stop was Las Vegas of the UFL. While he has not been in the NFL lately, the Browns believe his experience as a pro receiver and coach can make an impact on a weak area. Keep in mind that I am giving you the Browns' view of how they assembled their coaches.

4. The Browns kept offensive line coach George Warhop, who is highly regarded. To help with the adjustment to the 4-3, they brought in 20-year veteran defensive line coach Dwaine Board. His last stop was Oakland, but he was with Holmgren in Seattle before that.

About the Tribe...

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerIt is apparent that the Indians are entering spring training with the hope that Jason Donald will win the third-base job in 2011, allowing the franchise's infield prospects a few more months of seasoning in the minors.

1. I hear the Indians are talking to Kenny Lofton about coming to spring training to tutor Michael Brantley and some of the other outfielders. He also will work on base running. He will join his former manager Mike Hargrove, who will be around all season as a special assistant to team president Mark Shapiro.

2. When I heard about the Indians signing Orlando Cabrera to play second, it seemed like a poor move. Between Jayson Nix, Jason Donald, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps ... the only second base candidate not named Jason ... it seemed the Indians were set at second. But the Indians also view Cabrera as a super utility infielder.

3. The Tribe thinks Donald could open at third. He has worked at the position for much of the winter with Steve Smith, the team's infield coach. Smith has been pleased with how Donald has performed, but the real test is game conditions -- because so many plays at third are so quick, it's hard to recreate them in drills.

4. Even though he hasn't played third, the Indians believe Cabrera can handle the position in a pinch. It's the same thinking about converting Donald -- that a shortstop can move to second or third because those are less-demanding positions.

5. If I had to pick someone to be a utility man between Luis Valbuena, Nix and Orlando Cabrera, I'll go with Cabrera because he has won two Gold Gloves and can catch a ground ball. I wish I could close my eyes and wake up to see Lonnie Chisenhall at third, with either Kipnis or Phelps at second. That's when the Indians are getting somewhere in putting together an infield for the next few years.

6. Some fans are wondering why the Indians don't open with Orlando Cabrera at short (where he's rated above average) and Asdrubal Cabrera at second, his best position. That's because they believe Phelps or Kipnis will be at second as soon as July, and then they'd have to move Asdrubal Cabrera back to short. There is enough shifting around the infield without adding Asdrubal Cabrera to the game of musical chairs.

7. The Indians are talking about the merits of opening the season with Lou Marson at Class AAA, where he can be a regular. They were surprised at how his offense disappeared last season -- batting only .195 (.560 OPS). At Columbus, he batted only .202 in 125 plate appearances. Marson is a career .269 hitter (.750 OPS) in the minors. At 24, they don't want to have him be a backup, playing only once or twice a week. He did lead all AL catchers in throwing out 34 percent of steal attempts.

8. If the Indians do farm out Marson, they will go with Luke Carlin or Paul Phillips as a backup. Carlin is 30, a career .252 hitter in the minors. He was 5-of-14 for the Tribe last season. The other option is Phillips, who will be 34 in April. He has 221 career big league at-bats scattered over seven seasons.

About the Cavaliers...

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerThis fourth-quarter block of the Clippers' sensational Blake Griffin may have been the defining play of the Cavaliers' first win in 27 games -- and of J.J. Hickson's young career.

1. Remember when J.J. Hickson was feuding with Byron Scott, and how it hit bottom when the coach benched his young big man for skipping a practice on Jan. 5? Remember when Hickson thought Scott didn't like him, while Scott was talking about administering tough love so that Hickson would rebound and defend? Can we agree that if nothing else has come out of this 26-game losing streak, Hickson has developed toughness and suddenly looks like an impact player?

2. It began in January, when Hickson took over for the injured Anderson Varejao at center. He averaged 13.3 points and -- more impressive --10.9 rebounds. In February, it's 20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 54 percent shooting. Yes, his playing time increased from 20 minutes in December to 29 minutes in January to 37 minutes this month. But Scott's point was that he wanted Hickson to earn it.

3. It's worth mentioning that Hickson is only 22, that he would be a senior at N.C. State had he remained in school. Like other Cavs, he developed an excessive sense of entitlement playing with LeBron James in the last two seasons, when both the winning and the baskets (from James' passes) came easy. Now, everything is harder -- and Hickson is maturing. At 6-9 and 242 pounds, he usually defends a taller, heavier player each night. He is now doing it well.

4. ESPN's Ric Bucher wrote: "Likeliest [to get traded is] Antawn Jamison. Cavs will try to deal him, but if it doesn't happen I would expect a buyout. The team likeliest to sign him after that is New Orleans right now. They need a stretch 4 and he would be perfect."

5. Can Jamison be traded? Certainly. But the Cavs have no intention of taking back a player on a longer contract just to move Jamison. He is paid $14 million this season, and $15 million next year. They have no intention of buying him out to become a free agent paying him not to play for them. They like Jamison as a person and think he can still help as a player. Some nights when Mo Williams was hurt, the only guys scoring were Jamison and Ramon Sessions.

6. In December, Jamison played 33 minutes a game (17.7 points., 5.3 rebounds, 44 percent). In January, it was 36 minutes (21.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 42 percent). In February, its nearly 40 minutes (22.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 41 percent). Its obvious that Scott is playing the power forward more to win a game, but 40 minutes is too much for a 35-year-old veteran with a cranky knee. His defense also slips when he is tired.

7. Part of the reason Jamison plays so much is the lack of big men. The starting center is Hickson, who really is a power forward. Jamison starts at power forward. It would be nice if Ryan Hollins could be productive, but the 7-footer just doesn't rebound. He is averaging 2.3 rebounds in 13 minutes. For his six-year career, its 2.2 for 12.1 minutes. Per minute, he is one of the worst-rebounding centers. He ranked 63rd of 66 centers last season, and is right in that area again.

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